BIKERUMOR.com REVIEW: Earlier this year, Chrome released their new shoe line with four models, the Arnhem mid-top, the Midway low-mid-top, the high top Saipan and the low-top Kursk.
I opted to review the Kursk since it fits my style a little more than the others, but they all share the same basic features. Chrome’s shoes are designed to work well for cycling, of course, but also for daily casual wear. Here are the quick specs:
- Made of weatherproof 1,000 denier Cordura with back-padding
- 100% vulcanized construction
- Low profile design to better fit into a toe cage
- Re-enforced nylon/glass fiber shank to support the midsole
- Board lasted sole to eliminate pedal hot spot
- Skid resistant contact rubber on the sole
- Polyurethane contoured crash pad insole
- Durable rubber heel cup with reflective safety hit
- Lace garage so laces don’t get caught in your chain
- Steel anglets to keep laces from fraying
The cycling inspiration shows through when you ride them, and features like the ‘lace garage’ and grippy outer sole make commuting or just spinning around a breeze. I find myself wearing these three or four days a week, even when just sitting in the office or walking downtown.
Check out the full review and details, specs and pricing after the break…
WHAT’S IN THE BOX?
In addition to the shoes, you also get some sweet Chrome stickers and that new shoe smell!
The uppers are Chrome’s weatherproof 1000 denier Cordura and seem to be stitched together well. Given their bag’s reputation for durability, the shoes should also hold up well.
The instep side has some vent holes to help your dogs breathe. The tongue is padded, which makes them extremely comfortable, and the heel cup is pretty sturdy. Never once did my heel feel like it was going to slip out when walking or cycling.
The tread is so grippy it’s actually a little tough on occasion to slip your foot into a toe cage, but once it’s in, it’s not gonna slip out accidentally. Even when riding on flat pedals without toe cages the shoes stayed put. The rubber toe section keeps things from getting scuffed up. After about a 50 days of consistent wear, there’s nary a scratch on them.
Chrome’s Red Sole is well padded. Unlike Converse, these actually feel pretty good on the feet by offering a bit of support and padding.
HOW TO THEY RIDE?
The shoes have a nylon/glass fiber shank reinforcing the mid-sole, which helps keep your foot flat. With softer shoes (sneakers in particular), your heel tends to push down and bend the foot over the pedals. After time that can fatigue your foot and lead to discomfort on longer rides. The forefoot, though, is plenty flexible, so walking is unhindered.
The red soles look sweet…now if they just had some reflective properties, that would be awesome!
For now, we’ll settle for the reflective strip on the rear of the shoes.
This picture was taken before I actually read the details/instructions on the shoe (which is typical… have you read our review on the Light & Motion Seca 400?). See those laces dangling? Here’s the fix:
The Shoe Garage! Brilliant. Rather than trying to stuff the laces under themselves, this handy elastic strip easily pulls up to hold the laces. The metal eyelets should hold up well and keep the laces flowing smoothly as you loosen and tighten to get them on and off…which you do have to do to get them on.
BONUS FEATURES:
Bonus feature #1: They go great with my monkey socks and brown leather ottoman…and my dog’s head.
Bonus feature #2: They go good with my striped socks and blend well in Bikerumor’s casual office atmosphere.
BIKERUMOR RATING:
Seriously, I wore these for two weeks straight when they first came in, and they’re now a staple in my normal rotation. They’re comfy, they look good and they work well on and off the bike. There’s nothing I don’t like about them, and at $70 / pair, they’re reasonably priced. I love ’em. Five thumbs up!
